The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex/gender in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

The Scope of Title IX

Title IX applies to institutions that receive federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Education, including state and local educational agencies. These agencies include approximately 16,500 local school districts, 7,000 postsecondary institutions, as well as charter schools, for-profit schools, libraries, and museums. Also included are vocational rehabilitation agencies and education agencies of 50 states, the District of Columbia, and territories and possessions of the United States.

Educational programs and activities that receive ED funds must operate in a nondiscriminatory manner.

Some key issue areas in which recipients have Title IX obligations are: recruitment, admissions, and counseling; financial assistance; athletics; sex-based harassment; treatment of pregnant and parenting students; discipline; single-sex education; and employment. Also, a recipient may not retaliate against any person for opposing an unlawful educational practice or policy, or made charges, testified or participated in any complaint action under Title IX. For a recipient to retaliate in any way is considered a violation of Title IX.

Title IX ensure that institutions, such as Western Connecticut State University, comply with the law.

Who is your Title IX Coordinator?

The University President has appointed Mrs. Jesenia Minier-Delgado, the University’s Chief Diversity Officer to serve as the University Title IX Coordinator.

Mrs. Delgado is responsible for coordinating the University’s compliance with federal and state discrimination and sexual harassment laws. Mrs. Delgado will provide educational programs regarding discrimination and sexual harassment prevention; respond to, investigate and seek resolution to allegations of discrimination and sexual harassment; selecting and overseeing sexual harassment advisors who serve as additional information resources on issues of sexual harassment. Oversees all Title IX complaints and reports of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and related allegations of sexual misconduct as they impact students, staff and faculty and/or the academic environment. Identifies and addresses any systemic problems relating to complaints and works with other departments to ensure Title IX policies are communicated to all constituencies. Communicate with law enforcement personnel and other relevant administrators to assure that reports and complaints of gender discrimination or sexual harassment/violence and related misconduct are handled appropriately.

CaRRT

Effective September 1, 2017, CaRT will be known as the Campus Response and Resource Team (CaRRT).

We listen. We understand. We help.

INTRODUCTION

Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) asserts that all students have the right to be free from any form of interpersonal violence such as sexual assault/rape, sexual harassment, stalking, and intimate partner/domestic violence. WCSU prohibits any student from infringing upon these rights within our campus community.

A set of guidelines and procedures have been designed to provide everyone with important information regarding the systems that are in place at WCSU to support anyone whose rights have been violated. The university will take prompt action while simultaneously supporting those affected who also wish to pursue formal legal action for crimes that may have been committed.

These guidelines and procedures have been developed to comply with Connecticut Public Act 14-11, effective July 1, 2014. The Legislation requires universities to adopt and disclose policies related to sexual assault on campuses. These guidelines must include the following:

Assistance for students who wish to change their living arrangements, classes, or work schedule following an assault;

Plans for how the university will honor protective and/or restraining orders
Training for all new students and employees within first academic year of their arrival to the university; and

Legal Definitions

The Legislation requires colleges and universities to keep a victim’s identity and personal information as private as possible if they report a sexual assault. In addition, universities must provide primary prevention and awareness education related to sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence for all students. While the university has always followed these principles regarding these incidents, the new legislation ensures that students will be fully supported.